Almaty, Kazakhstan

History of Almaty

• Almaty, formerly known as Alma-Ata, is the largest city in Kazakhstan and one of the most important cultural and economic centers of Central Asia.
• It was the capital of Kazakhstan until 1997 and remains the country's main hub for finance, art, education, and tourism.
• The city lies at the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains, giving it one of the most picturesque urban landscapes in the region.
• Almaty (formerly Verny, then Alma-Ata) is the largest city in Kazakhstan and was the country’s capital until 1997.
• Its origins date back to a 19th-century Russian fort called Verny, and over time it developed into a major cultural and commercial hub in the region.
• During the Soviet period, many of its important buildings and institutions were built, and the city became a center for education, art, and science.
• Today, Almaty is considered the cultural capital of Kazakhstan, with a dense network of theaters, museums, and historic architecture.

Cultural Landmarks

Ascension Cathedral (Zenkov Cathedral)

• This is a striking wooden Russian Orthodox cathedral in Panfilov Park, built between 1904–1907.
• Despite its wooden structure, it survived a powerful earthquake in 1911 thanks to its special engineering.
• It is one of the tallest wooden church buildings in the world, reaching approximately 56 meters in height.

‹

›

Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen

• This park is named after 28 soldiers from the Panfilov Division who died defending Moscow during World War II.
• Within the park, there are several culturally important sites including the Ascension Cathedral, the Memorial of Glory, the Eternal Flame, and other monuments.

• Kazakh Museum of Folk Musical Instruments (Ykhlas Museum)
• The museum is located in Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen in central Almaty.
• It was founded in 1980 and is one of Kazakhstan’s most important cultural institutions.
• The building itself is a historic wooden structure built in 1908, reflecting traditional Russian architecture.
• The museum is named after Ykhlas Dukenuly, a respected Kazakh musician and composer.
• Its collection includes over 1,000 traditional Kazakh musical instruments, making it the largest of its kind in the country.
• The displays feature instruments such as dombra, kobyz, sybyzgy, zhetigen, kerney, and many rare regional instruments.
• Many instruments belonged to famous musicians, including national artists and legendary performers.
• The museum explains the role of music in Kazakh nomadic culture, rituals, battles, and storytelling traditions.
• Visitors can see both ancient archaeological instruments and modern versions used in contemporary folk ensembles.
• The museum also hosts cultural events, performances, and educational programs dedicated to preserving Kazakhstan’s musical heritage.